Guwahati: Year 2024 saw the Assamese film industry exhibit a commendable commitment to exploring a diverse range of narratives, tackling sensitive social issues with nuance and depth. Among the 29 films released, several standouts emerged, showcasing the industry's willingness to confront complex themes and challenge societal norms. Since the release of the first Assamese movie "Joymoti" in 1935, directed by the visionary cultural icon Jyoti Prasad Agarwala, the cinemascape of the industry has undergone tremendous changes in the last 89 years, extending a visual retreat to its audience. One notable film addressed the pervasive issue of homophobia, shedding light on the struggles faced by the LGBTQ+ community in a thought-provoking and empathetic manner. Another film delved into the intricate dynamics of gender roles and the status of women in a male-dominated society, offering a poignant critique of patriarchal structures. Alongside these socially conscious narratives, the year also witnessed the release of gripping action-packed mystery thrillers, captivating the audience with their suspenseful plots and high-octane sequences. The industry took a significant leap forward in 2024 that explored a wide range of themes and genres. This new wave of Assamese cinema is not only a testament to the industry's growth in terms of technicalities and commercial aspect, but also a promising trend in storytelling. The films that hit the theatres this year till Nov 2024 include two in Bodo and one Sadri language, which is spoken by the tea tribe. In 2023, 21 movies including one each in Dimasa and Bengali languages were released. Movies released in 2024 like "Satya The Truth", "Ata Nirjon Duporiya" and "Mini" touched sensitive social issues like homophobia, women's status in a male-dominated society and the hardships and challenges of tea garden workers of the 200-year-old tea industry. "Mini" also brought laurels to the state as it was screened at the Rashtrapati Bhawan in presence of President Draupadi Murmu. While other films like "Bidurbhai", "Joy Hanu Man" and "Local Kung Fu 3" enthralled and captivated audience with action and "belly-aching comedy". The director of "Satya The Truth" Rupjyoti Borthakur claimed the film to be first-of-its-kind in the industry to address same-sex relationships. The film released in Feb was set in the aftermath of India's decision to decriminalize same-sex relationship. "The idea behind making the film was to address the issue, which still considered as a taboo but very much rampant in our society. Due to social stigma, people fear to express their innate desires and hide it from the society. Interestingly enough, on the same day the film was released one of my relative in London attended a same-sex marriage in London. Although the film was not a commercial hit, if it has inspired at least a single person to express their love they believe, is a bigger success for me," Borthakur said. Khanjan Kishore Nath, who directed "Ata Nirjon Duporiya", explored the plight of a young couple who plans to spend some intimate moments together and while doing so they become victim of taboo where the system exploits them. "In third world countries like India, women are mostly considered as second class citizens and are very much conservative on subjects like sexuality. I just wanted to convey that society should not bother about what an adult couple in consensus do in their private space. Though the movie did not go well in the theatres, soon it will be released on OTT, and we are keeping our hopes high," Nath said. Both the directors expressed hope that with young filmmakers venturing out for filmmaking in the industry, Assamese audience will soon find diverse taste. Despite the release of 29 movies, only four of them "Bidurbhai", "Swargarath", Zubeen-garg starrer "Sikaar" and "Local Kung Fu 3" managed to good box office collection. Sources said "Bidurbhai" has earned over Rs 12 crore. "Joy Hanu Man" directed by Himanshu Prasad Das introduced the concept of "superheroes" in Assamese cinema where a college boy in order to find the murderer of a dear one, fights an evil political gangster nexus in the disguise of 'Hanuman', the famous Monkey god. He said the movie was not exactly a superhero movie, but attempted to show how a common man can also become a superhero if he has the urge and intention to good for the society. He noted that the new-generation filmmakers are experimenting not only in terms of subjects, but in the aspect of direction treatment as well. "With limited budget and resources, Assamese cinema has progressed leaps and bounds in last few years. Due to financial constraints and limited screens available, we obviously cannot dare to spend like South-Indian movies. Had the circumstances been similar, we too have the potential to make blockbusters like them," he added, with a hope that Assamese film industry will too achieve the grandeur like South-Indian industry in the future. Stay updated with the latest news on Times of India . Don't miss daily games like Crossword , Sudoku , Location Guesser and Mini Crossword . Spread love this holiday season with these Christmas wishes , messages , and quotes .
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WASHINGTON — The House Ethics Committee's long-awaited report on Matt Gaetz documents a trove of salacious allegations, including sex with an underage girl, that tanked the Florida Republican's bid to lead the Justice Department. Citing text messages, travel receipts, online payments and testimony, the bipartisan committee paints a picture of a lifestyle in which Gaetz and others connected with younger women for drug-fueled parties, events or trips, with the expectation the women would be paid for their participation. The former congressman, who filed a last-minute lawsuit to try to block the report's release Monday, slammed the committee's findings. Gaetz has denied any wrongdoing and has insisted he never had sex with a minor. And a Justice Department investigation into the allegations ended without any criminal charges filed against him. "Giving funds to someone you are dating — that they didn't ask for — and that isn't 'charged' for sex is now prostitution?!?" Gaetz wrote in one post Monday. "There is a reason they did this to me in a Christmas Eve-Eve report and not in a courtroom of any kind where I could present evidence and challenge witnesses." Here's a look at some of the committee's key findings: 'Sex-for-money arrangements,' drug-fueled parties and trips The committee found that between 2017 and 2020, Gaetz paid tens of thousands of dollars to women "likely in connection with sexual activity and/or drug use." He paid the women using through online services such as PayPal, Venmo and CashApp and with cash or check, the committee said. The committee said it found evidence that Gaetz understood the "transactional nature" of his relationships with the women. The report points to one text exchange in which Gaetz balked at a woman's request that he send her money, "claiming she only gave him a 'drive by.'" Women interviewed by the committee said there was a "general expectation of sex," the report said. One woman who received more than $5,000 from Gaetz between 2018 and 2019 said that "99 percent of the time" that when she hung out with Gaetz "there was sex involved." However, Gaetz was in a long-term relationship with one of the women he paid, so "some of the payments may have been of a legitimate nature," the committee said. Text messages obtained by the committee also show that Gaetz would ask the women to bring drugs to their "rendezvous," the report said. While most of his encounters with the women were in Florida, the committee said Gaetz also traveled "on several occasions" with women whom he paid for sex. The report includes text message exchanges in which Gaetz appears to be inviting various women to events, getaways or parties, and arranging airplane travel and lodging. Gaetz associate Joel Greenberg, who pleaded guilty to sex trafficking charges in 2021, initially connected with women through an online service. In one text with a 20-year-old woman, Greenberg suggested if she had a friend, the four of them could meet up. The woman responded that she usually does "$400 per meet." Greenberg replied: "He understands the deal," along with a smiley face emoji. Greenberg asked if they were old enough to drink alcohol, and sent the woman a picture of Gaetz. The woman responded that her friend found him "really cute." "Well, he's down here for only for the day, we work hard and play hard," Greenberg replied. 'Substantial evidence' indicates that Gaetz had sex with an underage girl, the committee said The report details a party in July 2017 in which Gaetz is accused of having sex with "multiple women, including the 17-year-old, for which they were paid." The committee pointed to "credible testimony" from the now-woman herself as well as "multiple individuals" who corroborated the allegation. The then-17-year-old — who had just completed her junior year in high school — told the committee that Gaetz paid her $400 in cash that night, "which she understood to be payment for sex," according to the report. The woman acknowledged that she had taken ecstasy the night of the party, but told the committee that she was "certain" of her sexual encounters with the then-congressman. There's no evidence that Gaetz knew she was a minor when he had sex with her, the committee said. The woman told the committee she didn't tell Gaetz she was under 18 at the time and he didn't ask how old she was. Rather, the committee said Gaetz learned she was a minor more than a month after the party. But he stayed in touch with her after that and met up with her for "commercial sex" again less than six months after she turned 18, according to the committee. Gaetz said evidence would 'exonerate' him but provided none of it In sum, the committee said it authorized 29 subpoenas for documents and testimony, reviewed nearly 14,000 documents and contacted more than two dozen witnesses. But when the committee subpoenaed Gaetz for his testimony, he failed to comply. "Gaetz pointed to evidence that would 'exonerate' him yet failed to produce any such materials," the committee said. Gaetz "continuously sought to deflect, deter, or mislead the Committee in order to prevent his actions from being exposed." The report details a months-long process that dragged into a year as it sought information from Gaetz that he decried as "nosey" and a "weaponization" of government against him. In one notable exchange, investigators were seeking information about the expenses for a 2018 getaway with multiple women to the Bahamas. Gaetz ultimately offered up his plane ticket receipt "to" the destination, but declined to share his return "from" the Bahamas. The report said his return on a private plane and other expenses paid by an associate were in violation of House gift rules. In another Gaetz told the committee he would "welcome" the opportunity to respond to written questions. Yet, after it sent a list of 16 questions, Gaetz said publicly he would "no longer" voluntarily cooperate. He called the investigation "frivolous," adding, "Every investigation into me ends the same way: my exoneration." The report said that while Gaetz's obstruction of the investigation does not rise to a criminal violation it is inconsistent with the requirement that all members of Congress "act in a manner that reflects creditably upon the House." Justice Department didn't cooperate with the committee The committee began its review of Gaetz in April 2021 and deferred its work in response to a Justice Department request. It renewed its work shortly after Gaetz announced that the Justice Department had ended a sex trafficking investigation without filing any charges against him. The committee sought records from the Justice Department about the probe, but the agency refused, saying it doesn't disclose information about investigations that don't result in charges. The committee then subpoenaed the Justice Department, and after a back-and-forth between officials and the committee, the department handed over "publicly reported information about the testimony of a deceased individual," according to the report. "To date, DOJ has provided no meaningful evidence or information to the Committee or cited any lawful basis for its responses," the committee said. Many of the women who the committee spoke to had already given statements to the Justice Department and didn't want to "relive their experience," the committee said. "They were particularly concerned with providing additional testimony about a sitting congressman in light of DOJ's lack of action on their prior testimony," the report said. The Justice Department, however, never handed over the women's statements. The agency's lack of cooperation — along with its request that the committee pause its investigation — significantly delayed the committee's probe, lawmakers said.
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Tim Royers, the new president of Nebraska’s teachers union, is sharing grim news as he travels Nebraska. “Ten years ago there were 130 unfilled teaching jobs in Nebraska. This spring there were 1,200 unfilled teaching positions. That’s an 800% increase,” said Royers. A former Millard West speech and debate coach who taught history, geography and civics, Royers is beginning a three-year term as president of the Nebraska State Education Association. On Thursday, Royers was in Grand Island before heading to Kearney on Friday. As if the raw numbers don’t underscore the state’s critical teacher shortage, the NSEA asked professional faculty what they think should be done, and the response was jarring. Twenty-eight percent of teachers surveyed said they’re unsure whether they’ll return to the classroom next year. “In my mind, addressing the teacher shortage needs to be our biggest priority. We need to retain teachers and bring more people into the profession,” Royers said, teeing up one of the major proposals the NSEA will pursue when state legislators return to Lincoln in January. “Given the radical increase in unfilled teacher positions, there needs to be a bold commitment to teachers," Royers said. His organization plans to lobby state senators to support the NSEA’s top legislative proposals to recruit and retain teachers for Nebraska classrooms. The NSEA’s plan addresses a chronic sore spot for teachers, who are allowed 10 days of paid family medical leave per year. NSEA wants to boost the leave to six weeks with teachers and school districts sharing the cost. Royers said teachers would pay a "modest payroll fee or tax." Their district would match teachers’ contributions, and that would feed about $40 per month per teacher into a fund to cover expenses of six weeks of family leave. “Given the radical increase in unfilled teacher positions, there needs to be a bold commitment to teachers,” Royers said. He believes that boosting family medical leave could be a game-changer, because the 10-day cap puts teachers in a difficult position. For example, some teachers delay having children because 10 days is not enough time to tend to and adjust to life with newborns. “No one should have to factor their major decisions into family leave,” Royers said. “Everywhere I’ve gone, teachers said this would be life-changing and it would allow us to recruit from neighboring states.” The NSEA is encouraged that voters supported public school teachers’ opposition to Nebraska’s school choice law and defeated it on Nov. 5. Royers said the Legislature will be the next battleground as teachers fight for their family leave proposal. Royers expects it will be difficult persuading lawmakers to support such a bold idea. “Teachers don’t really feel like the state cares about them. Do you think lawmakers care about teachers when they craft policy?” Royers said. Public school districts across the country are facing budget deficits as Covid-relief funds dry up, leading to staff cuts. mike.konz@kearneyhub.com Get our local education coverage delivered directly to your inbox.Solar Panel Operation & Maintenance Market Set to Achieve US$ 16.4 Bn by 2034, Growing at a 10.1% CAGRAs we age, our cognitive and motor functions degrade, reducing our independence and overall quality of life. Research efforts to mitigate or perhaps eliminate this have resulted in technologies that hold a lot of promise. Now, scientists led by Friedhelm Hummel at EPFL have identified an important factor affecting an individual’s responsiveness to atDCS. The team looked at how native learning abilities determine the effect of brain stimulation applied while learning a motor task. Their findings suggest that individuals with less efficient learning mechanisms benefit more from stimulation, while those with optimal learning strategies might experience negative effects. Among these is non-invasive brain stimulation: a term encompassing a set of techniques that can affect brain functions externally and noninvasively, without the need for surgery or implants. One such promising technique, in particular, is anodal transcranial direct current stimulation (atDCS), which uses a constant, low electrical current delivered via electrodes on the scalp to modulate neuronal activity. However, studies exploring atDCS have produced inconsistent results, which has prompted researchers to explore why some people benefit from atDCS while others don’t. The problem seems to lie in our understanding of factors that may influence responsiveness to brain stimulation, leading to responders and non-responders; among these, age has been suggested as one important factor. Some studies suggest further factors such as baseline behavioural abilities and previous training might be important considerations, but an interplay of these factors with behaviour has not been determined in detail, pointing to the need of refined predictive models of the effects of atDCS. The researchers recruited 40 participants: 20 middle-aged adults (50-65 years old) and 20 older adults (over 65). Each group was further divided into those receiving active atDCS and those receiving placebo stimulation. Over ten days, participants practised a finger-tapping task designed to study motor sequence learning at home while receiving atDCS. The task involved replicating a numerical sequence using a keypad, trying to be as fast and as accurate as possible. The team then used a machine-learning model trained on a public dataset to classify participants as either “optimal” or “suboptimal” learners, based on their initial performance. This model aimed to predict who would benefit from atDCS, based on their ability to integrate information about the task efficiently early during training. The study found that suboptimal learners, who were seemingly less efficient at internalizing the task at the early stages of learning, experienced an accelerated accuracy improvement while performing the task when receiving atDCS. This effect was not limited to people of a certain age (e.g., older adults), with suboptimal learners being found among younger individuals as well. In contrast, participants with optimal learning strategies, regardless of age, even showed a negative trend in performance when receiving atDCS. This difference suggests that brain stimulation is more beneficial for individuals who initially struggle with motor tasks. As such, atDCS seems to possess a restorative rather than an enhancing quality, with important implications for rehabilitation. “By leveraging different methods in Machine learning, we were able to untangle the influence of different factors on the individual effects of brain stimulation,” said Pablo Maceira, the study’s first author. “This will pave the way to maximize the effects of brain stimulation in individual subjects and patients.” The study implies that, in the long run, personalized brain stimulation protocols will be developed to maximize benefits based on an individual’s specific needs, rather than a common trait such as age. This approach could lead to more effective brain stimulation-based interventions, targeting specific mechanisms supporting learning, especially in the view of neurorehabilitation, for which the main basis is the re-learning of lost skills due to a brain lesion (e.g., after a stroke or a traumatic brain injury). “In the future, clinicians could apply a more advanced version of our algorithm to determine whether a patient will benefit from a brain stimulation-based therapy, to enhance the effects of neurorehabilitation and personalize treatment,” said Hummel. (With inputs from ANI)